Applications from 1 Kings

1 Kings 1:9-10

The Story:

So far we see that King David is older and ready to die. His son Adonijah has exalted himself to be King and Israel is choosing sides: Adonijah, Not Adonijah. In verses 9-10 we see simply that Adonijah confidently throws himself a victory/support me party. He invites those he wants/thinks will support him. He doesn’t invite those he feels opposes him.

The Application:

Never Count your Chickens before they Hatch

(1 Kings 1:9–10 And Adonijah slew sheep and oxen and fat cattle by the stone of Zoheleth, which is by En-rogel, and called all his brethren the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah the king’s servants: But Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah, and the mighty men, and Solomon his brother, he called not.)

This feast he is planning should have celebrated rather than initiated his campaign for the throne. Rather than having this feast as a kick-off party…Adonijah should have been having this feast once the throne was secured. We will see later in the chapter that Adonijah is quickly thwarted in his attempt to be King. This teaches us today to:

Consider the end-result of our actions before we act. Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Finish a task before having the victory party. We all remember President Bush on the USS Abraham Lincoln declaring “Mission Accomplished” in Iraq, however, troops stayed working there for years to follow. “They who feast when they should fight are likely to end their mirth with sorrow.” -Maclaren.